DALLAS, TX: Mahatma Gandhi Memorial of North Texas (MGMNT) celebrated India’s 70th Independence Day on August 15 with hundreds of jubilant Indian Americans at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Plaza, Irving that houses the largest Gandhi Memorial in the USA.
Addressing 600 plus Non Resident Indians who came to celebrate the event, Mrs Shabnam Modgil, MGMNT Board of Director, paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. Rao Kalvala, MGMNT Secretary, in his welcome address said that celebrating this event at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Plaza is more relevant and significant as our “Father of the Nation” played a vital role in attaining Independence through peaceful means.
He added that Gandhiji’s messages are key to the progress of mankind in and have huge relevance even today. He urged all those attending to join the upcoming Annual Gandhi Peace-Walk to be held on October 2 at the same venue.
Dr. Prasad Thotakura, MGMNT Chairman, hoisted the Tri-color Indian Flag in the midst of cheering, thundering applause of crowd waving both Indian and US flags. Saluting the Indian flag, he said that we are all very fortunate and indebted to this great country USA where freedom and democracy prevail and celebration of events like these are allowed. He paid rich tributes to freedom fighters and national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Lala Lajpat Rai, Chandra Sekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and many others.
Taiyab Kundawala, MGMNT Board of Director, recited the favorable Bhajan of Gandhiji raghupati raghava raja raam and requested all to observe a moment of silence to pay tribute to all fallen heroes in the freedom struggle.
Jack Godhwani, MGMNT Board of Director, extended his best wishes in Hindi to all on the occasion of India’s 70th Independence Day.
Salman Farshori, MGMNT Board of Director, thanked attendees, volunteers and all supporters who had helped making the event successful.
The MGMNT team inaugurated the “Seating Area” with four park benches and “Plant a Tree” donor recognition pedestal at this event and thanked all the donors who made this possible.
India Post News Service
